PETERHEAD remains the busiest port in the country by some distance, accounting for most of the UK’s fish landing value and tonnage in the first month of 2024.
The port took in more than £62m of fish in January – 57% of the Uk total of little more than £93m – and a 43% improvement from last years numbers.
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Total tonnage at the port was 33,617 – up 4% from last year – and also 57% of the entire UK tonnage of 55,398.
After a record-breaking year, the total value of fish landings in January equates to more than a quarter of 2023s gross value of £232.4m.
Whitefish accounted for nearly half of last years total value, £102.4m, and early signs bode well for the year ahead.
Speaking earlier this month, Peter Duncan, Peterhead Port Authority’s Head of Fishing – Commercial, said: “Whitefish landings were slightly ahead for the year (2023) also, and improved quotas for 2024 for most of the key commercial stocks bode well for the future.
“The Port offers first-class facilities and infrastructure for the landing and selling of fish, with the maintenance of quality at the heart of everything we do, and is constantly seeking ways to improve its contribution to the seafood supply chain.”
Across Scotland, there was a 19% increase in the value of fish landings year-on-year, while tonnage increase by one percentage point.
UK tonnage fell by 2%, but value of landings improved by 13%.
Scotland accounted for 84.6% of the UK value and 86.8% of the tonnage of fish landed.
